Home Garden Zinnia – Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home renovation, home repair and DIY. Tried, true, trusted home advice
How to Grow Zinnias A rewarding plant that looks great from farm to table, zinnias provide long-lasting color in the garden and make excellent cut flowers.
Home Garden Zinnia
When it comes to bursts of color in the garden bed, few flowers can compete with a hardy zinnia. Zinnias grow in a variety of colors and heights and love to live in containers, making them summer annuals for centuries.
Queen Lime Blush Zinnia Seeds
Fortunately, zinnia care is easier than you might think, and – with minimal effort – you’ll be rewarded with striking, long-lasting blooms that also make excellent cut flowers. This guide has the answers to questions you may have about how to grow zinnias.
. It is easy to germinate from seed and grows prolifically in both pots and garden beds. Hybrid colors range from snow white to light green to delicate salmon; in fact there are hybrids of
In almost every color of the rainbow! A stunning addition to any wildflower garden or window box, this species also comes in a variety of flower forms, including single, semi-double, double, dahlia, globe, cactus and even scabiosa, with the latter form named for its resemblance to the pincushion flower.
, or Mexican zinnia. The latter includes the Royal Horticultural Society’s prize-winning cultivar ‘Aztec Orange’, which has beautiful bright orange double flowers. Another is
How To Grow Beautiful Zinnia Flowers
, also called desert zinnia. This lichen grower is native to the Rockies and Mexico and tolerant of colder winters in USDA zones 4 through 9. Meanwhile,
Is native to Arizona, Texas, and Mexico. It is a ground cover with beautiful white flowers with yellow or sometimes purple florets in the middle. These two native zinnias also attract hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators in large numbers.
Zinnias are low-maintenance ground covers once established that can provide months of dynamic color to garden beds and pots. Plant several varieties together to get big pops of color in your zinnia garden with little effort.
Plant zinnias in the spring when the risk of frost has passed and daytime temperatures reach at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In areas with warmer springs, sow seeds directly into the ground. In colder climates, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the expected last frost date.
Zinnia Variety Blooms Profusely
With a few exceptions, most zinnias are annuals. Many are native to Mexico and the Southwest, so these flowers love heat. Plant them in a sunny spot in the garden where they get at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. In areas with very hot summers, zinnias can tolerate partial sun. In areas with cool summers or fog, choose the sunniest spot possible and avoid watering above your growing zinnias to prevent powdery mildew.
Zinnias can tolerate a variety of soil conditions and heat once established, but give them the best possible start.
If starting planting is purchased from a nursery: Follow steps 5 to 7 above. Try not to disturb the roots of native zinnias when transplanting new plants.
Zinnias grow very well in containers, as long as they are watered regularly and do not become too root bound. Be sure to use a potting mix—not heavy garden soil—to ensure adequate drainage. Look for smaller containers for Thumbelina zinnias.
Easy To Grow, Happy In Your Home
Although zinnias are not fussy overall, they are prone to powdery mildew, so water them with care. Soak the soil, not the plant. Give them regular water, watered at ground level and avoid overhead watering that wets leaves, stems and flowers to avoid powdery mildew or sunburn. Also, avoid overwatering zinnias, which can lead to wilting and rotting. Note that native perennial varieties are extremely drought tolerant once established.
Annual zinnias are considered heavy feeders. Feed them plant food throughout the growing season; an all-purpose garden fertilizer works well, such as a 10-10-10. Apply it according to the directions on the fertilizer. Container plants may require more frequent fertilization. Consider fertilizing zinnias with a water-soluble plant food, but never apply it to dry soil.
Zinnia flowers tend to last for weeks, and sometimes for months at a time. Deadhead zinnia blooms when they start to look faded and handpick damaged leaves. Native zinnias (
Zinnias can be propagated from seed and grown directly in the ground or indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting. They are relatively easy to grow from seed, and you can pick seeds from faded flowers if you like. Just be aware that many varieties will not flower true to seed, so to ensure their exact color and appearance, it’s best to buy a new seed packet of that variety each year.
How To Plant And Grow Zinnias
Propagating a zinnia from a root cutting is more like a clone of the plant, but it does require some work. Choose a stem that does not flower but has several sets of leaves, make a diagonal cut just below the lowest set. Then remove the lower leaves and submerge the stem in warm water out of direct sunlight. Change the water regularly and expect roots in about a week. Plant the rooted stem in a container filled with sterile potting mix or directly into the ground.
Zinnias are non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses, as well as humans. Pollinators, including butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, love them.
Zinnias are prone to powdery mildew. To prevent this, water only at soil level and avoid getting leaves and stems wet. Do not water zinnias from the top and thin them as needed to give them air circulation. Sometimes zinnias can be prone to leaf spots.
Overall, zinnias are resistant to many pests and diseases, but aphids, whiteflies and spider mites will prey on plants that may be stressed and waterlogged during the hottest weather. Pay attention to watering on hot days to prevent this stress. Flushing these pests away is usually enough to deter them. Zinnias are also resistant to deer and rabbits. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This is how it works.
Gorgeous Zinnias Your Garden Needs This Summer
All gardeners should learn how to grow zinnias, as they are one of the quickest and easiest summer flowers to grow, as well as being colourful, dazzling, versatile, drought tolerant, ideal cut flowers – to name just a few of their attributes.
Zinnias are not only a favorite in our garden ideas, but single-flowered varieties are also loved by wildlife, including bees, butterflies and ladybugs. There are also semi-double, double and rounded pompom and cactus shapes to discover, with compact and tall varieties.
Growing zinnias is an easy way to add beauty and vibrant color to your flower beds as part of your garden ideas.
Read on to find out how to grow zinnias in your own garden for statement blooms during the summer season.
Homestead Stories: A Colorful Zinnia Extravaganza • Insteading
When it comes to advice on how to grow zinnias, author and gardening expert Melinda Myers (opens in new tab) recommends ‘full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they are drought tolerant, making them an excellent choice for containers and busy gardeners.
If you are wondering how to plant a flower bed with zinnias, there are a number of options: you can sow seeds directly outdoors; sow seeds in modules or seed trays; or buy plug plants to plant out.
However, there are some important rules to follow to produce successful blooms. Zinnias dislike being transplanted or having their roots disturbed so should be sown in the soil where you want them to grow. Knowing when to plant zinnia seeds will also ensure success.
“Zinnias don’t like root disturbance or cold nights, so direct-sow the seeds when the nights are warm enough to sit outside in the evening,” says e
xpert plantswoman Sarah Raven (opens in new tab). The timing of this will vary depending on whether you live in a cooler or warmer region – roughly late May early June in cooler climates.
Zinnia Flowering Lawn Stock Photo. Image Of Lawn, Plants
If you choose to direct zinnia seeds in the ground outside, just sow the seeds directly in a sunny place after the last frost. Add a few inches of compost or compost and some fertilizer, advises Kristin Winterbottom of Parkseed (opens in new tab).
One of the most common mistakes when growing zinnias is planting them too early. Zinnias will not survive any frost, so only sow your seeds when all risk of frost is over and the colder nights have passed.
The better the soil, the taller the zinnias will be, and they like a little room to spread. Prepare the bed by raking over, checking the seed packet for spacing, then covering with a thin layer of soil. As the plants grow, thin them carefully to about 40cm apart.
‘Keep the soil moist by watering at the base of the plants. Cut flowers often to arrange or simply pinch off spent flowers, adds Kristin.
Lilliput Zinnias Seed
“Alternatively, you can sow zinnias in modules or seed trays, so there’s no hatching, and plant out when they’re still small with just a couple or two true leaves. This way you’ll minimize root handling,” advises Sarah Raven.
If you are wondering “should I soak zinnia seeds before planting?” then the answer is yes. Soak yours
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